Chapter 18: The Pass of Caradhras

After being spotted on the Misty Mountains by the Crebain, the Fellowship was forced to move to the pass of Caradhras. The journey up the mountain was an arduous one. Boromir knew that he did not have such a hard journey. He thought about the trouble Pharazphel and Faramir were going through. He knew that his father would not be kind to them. Thinking of his wife and child brought Boromir comfort as he trudged on with the rest of the Fellowship. Another issue that troubled Boromir was the Ring. His father had sent him to retrieve it and bring it to Gondor. He thought of how his father would thank him for bringing it. He never wanted this task, but he knew he could not disappoint his father. Boromir thought of how close the Ring was to him, but yet it was so far. One day, while traveling up the pass of Caradhras, Frodo tripped as he trudged through the snow. The Ring fell from his neck and into the snow. Boromir picked it up and gazed at it. He thought of how this Ring could help his people.

"It is a strange fate that we should suffer so much fear and doubt over so small a thing," he said. "such a little thing."

"Boromir!" Aragorn cried. "Give the Ring to Frodo."

Boromir hesitated, but gave the Ring back to Frodo. "As you wish. I care not."

Boromir playfully tousled Frodo's hair before turning back up the mountain. As the companions journeyed further up the mountain, the snow began to blow around them. They were caught in a blizzard. Boromir and Aragorn heaved their way up the mountain, each of them carrying a Hobbit. Aragorn carried Frodo and Sam, while Boromir carried Merry and Pippin. Legolas, stepping atop the snow, crept to the edge of the mountain.

"There is a fell voice on the air," Legolas said.

"It's Saruman!" Gandalf shouted.

Suddenly, lightning struck the mountain peak and sent a barrage of snow down below.

"He's trying to bring down the mountain! Gandalf, we must turn back!" Aragorn shouted.

"No!" Gandalf said.

Gandalf spread his arms and shouted in a language that amazed the Fellowship. Gandalf was attempting to ward off Saruman's hold over the mountain. Alas, his efforts were for not. Saruman's voice was like thunder, and lightning struck the peak again. The company found themselves buried in snow. When they emerged from the snow, the Company knew that the mountain had defeated them.

"We cannot stay on the mountain!" Boromir cried. "Make for the Gap of Rohan, or take the West Road to my city!"

"The Gap of Rohan takes us too close to Isengard," Aragorn said.

"If we cannot pass over the mountain, let us go under it," Gimli suggested. "Let us go through the Mines of Moria."

Gandalf was silent for a long moment.

"We cannot stay here!" Boromir cried. "This will be the death of the Hobbits."

"Let the Ring-bearer decide," Gandalf said. "Frodo?"

Frodo thought a long moment before he spoke. "We will go through the Mines."

"So be it," Gandalf said.

And so the Company climbed down from Caradhras. Although the mountain had defeated them, they were hoping to have better luck with the Mines of Moria. Boromir wondered at Gandalf's hesitation at going through the Mines.

"What danger awaits us at Moria?" Boromir asked. "I saw how troubled you were at suggesting we go through those mines. What awaits us there?"

"I cannot say," Gandalf said. "I was afraid to enter Moria, but it seems we are left with no choice. Just be on your guard."

Boromir did not know what he would encounter in Moria, but he was prepared to endure it. What no one could know is the danger that awaited them.

It had been six months since Boromir departed Minas Tirith. Pharazphel was now seven months into her pregnancy. Although she longed for her husband to be by her side, Pharazphel carried her child with as much strength as she could muster. Faramir was amazed by Pharazphel's endurance as she carried Boromir's child. One night, Faramir went down to Pharazphel's chamber. Although the journey from the Houses of Healing to the hall was not easy, Pharazphel managed it. Faramir heard Pharazphel crying out. Fearful that she might be in danger, Faramir hurried inside and found Pharazphel tossing in her sleep.

Faramir knelt down by Pharazphel's bed and roused her. "Wake up, my sister. Escape from this nightmare."

Pharazphel awoke slowly and gasped. "Faramir!"

Pharazphel was shaking from head to foot and her eyes were large. Faramir did his best to comfort his sister.

"You need not worry, sister," Faramir said. "Your terror is gone."

"My dream was dark," Pharazphel said. "I dreamed that Orcs were swarming all around, and Boromir was caught in their web. I saw them overtake him like a shadow."

"It was a dream and nothing more," Faramir said.

"How long has it been since Boromir departed?" Pharazphel asked.

"Six months," Faramir said.

"Has it been so long?" Pharazphel gasped. "Why has he not returned? Surely, he would have returned by now."

"I do not know why Boromir has not returned," Faramir said. "I cannot say what keeps him. I do know that he will return to you."

"I fear for him, and I do not know why," Pharazphel said.

"You do not have anything to fear," Faramir said. "Although Boromir is late, he shall return. He is a valiant man and he will survive the journey back to Minas Tirith. He will be with you when your child arrives."

"Thank you, Faramir," Pharazphel said. "Your words do comfort me as well as the child."

"It is my duty to my brother and to you," Faramir said humbly.

A/N: What will happen next as Pharazphel approaches her due date? Keep reading to find out! I appreciate the reviews, favorites, etc. They mean a lot to me. Thank you.